Political Communication

Code:

CC049

Acronym:

CP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Communication Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Communication and Information Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Communication Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CC	20	Study plan	2	-	6	46	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

1 - Promoting knowledge on policy communication, dynamics and media flows between media, elites and publics.
2 – Understanding in what ways communicational processes are constructed,  concpetual aspects, and communicational models.
3 – Understanding the definition of media systems and their articulation with political regmes.
4 – Developing critical skills on policy, goals and effects.

5 – Providing study tools, practical examples, and different pedagogical matrials for a theoretical–practical approach to the political-communicational process.

Learning outcomes and competences

The UC Political Communication adresses institutional, communicational aspects, journalistic practices and public opinion effects. Theoretical classes and the development of political communication concepts allow the acquisition of cognitive and analysis skills in this vast theoretical field, with an updated perspective according to new communication paradigms. The module also allows a more laboratory perspective on the relationship between journalists and sources, topics in the political universe and audience effects. The presentation of practical cases, professional experiences, as well as different digital materials allows a more comprehensive understanding of political issues and message formats, providing students with analysis and content production skills, according to these logics. The didactic aspects are further delved into more specific themes, such as campaign scenarios, propaganda and political communication in a social media environment. In this sense, students can count on a complete and diverse modulecontent that promotes knowledge and skills in this area.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1- Information flows, channels and limits of Political Communication

2- Media Models and Political Systems

3- Political logics versus Media logics: competition and conflict in the news arena

4- Sources and strategic communication

5- Communication in electoral campaigns

6- Propaganda

7 Critical perspectives on digital media and politics

Mandatory literature

Gurevitch, M., & Blumler, J. G; Political communication systems and democratic values. , New York: Cambridge University Press., 1990
McNair, B. ; An Introduction to Political Communication. , London: Routledge., 2002
Hallin, D. & Mancini; Sistemas de Media: Estudo comparativo, Lisboa: Livros Horizonte., 2010
Jacobson, G. C. ; How do campaigns matter? Annual Review of Political Science, 2015
Jamieson, K. H., & Kenski, K. ; Political communication: Then, now and beyond. , New York: Oxford University Press., 2017

Complementary Bibliography

de Vreese; Comparative political communication research. , New York: Oxford University Press.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The U.C. Political Communication articulates institutional, communicational aspects and journalistic practices, as well as the effects of message reception by audiences, mostly in mediated communication scenarios. The teaching approach is theoretical – practical and tutorial. The different points of the syllabus provide a theoretical basis and understanding of operational concepts. These contexts give students the possibility of acquiring knowledge and analytical skills on the specificities of Political Communication topics. These notions are interconnected, in a more laboratory aspect, with communication formats, interactions of different actors and effects. Students will have an overview of the main subjects and methodologies of political communication, understood as information flows between political and media elites and/or the public. Bibliographical research contributes to critically reflecting on key issues such as the democratic performance of the media, citizens' trust in media institutions, disinformation and fact-checking, media and campaign effects, the definition of propaganda agendas among, other. The module also reflects on how these processes may be changing during the “fourth era” of political communication, with changes enhanced by digital technology, an unmediated public sphere and a diversity of new political voices and messages. Through a series of case studies, this module will also introduce observation and experimentation methodologies. By the theoretical-practical and tutorial teaching model, students are able to recognize and describe a wide range of issues in political communication, apply concepts and methodologies to critically analyze current issues. Topics such as political communication during campaign times, media systems and content organization, and propaganda will be dealt under the knowledge acquired, which can also be applied to other fields of study, such as political audience behavior, electoral choices, public policies or democratic theory. The empirical aspects will be a way of gauging understanding on a more practical level, with specific examples or other forms of communication practice. Students can increase knowledge resulting from these perspectives, having the possibility of confronting different models. Tutorial classes complement the study by supporting the investigation of topics and carrying out practical work in class. Tutorial guidance also provide supervision for the final project. The learning outcomes are achived by  classes and tutorials that will allow a well-founded knowledge of the subjects, understanding the central issues of Political Communication, its agents and effect processes.

keywords

Social sciences > Communication sciences
Social sciences
Social sciences > Communication sciences > Media studies

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	82,00
Trabalho de investigação	80,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

75% attendance of classes

Calculation formula of final grade

E+Pp+Tc=100%